Night in the Sheng mansion was suspiciously quiet, the kind of quiet that didn't feel peaceful but instead felt like something was hiding in it, waiting, watching, preparing to do something extremely unnecessary and probably very dramatic.
Zian Hausi lay flat on her bed, staring at the ceiling with the expression of someone who had already given up on life at least three times before dinner, one arm behind her head and the other loosely holding her blanket like she was ready to fight something—or nap—it depended on the situation.
If something scary happens tonight, I'm blaming this house.
Outside her room, a servant paused mid-step.
"…Blaming the house???"
Zian didn't move.
Honestly, this mansion looks expensive but emotionally unstable.
The servant slowly turned around and walked away faster than necessary.
Zian rolled onto her side and stared at the curtain.
It moved.
Just slightly.
Not enough for a normal person to panic.
But enough for someone like Zian—
To immediately start judging.
No wind.
Pause.
No fan.
Longer pause.
No logic.
She sat up slowly, her expression completely serious now.
"…If you're a ghost," she said calmly, "please wait a second. I need to prepare mentally. I don't want to embarrass myself."
She took a deep breath.
Plan: scream first, dignity later.
The curtain moved again.
Zian immediately grabbed the nearest pillow like it was a weapon forged by ancient warriors.
"…Don't rush me," she warned the air.
The curtain suddenly lifted higher.
Zian screamed.
"AHHH—!"
She threw the pillow with full emotional damage.
The pillow hit the curtain.
And dropped.
Nothing happened.
Silence filled the room.
Zian stared.
"…I just attacked air."
Pause.
This is why I don't trust my instincts.
Then—
The shadow stretched.
Not like a normal shadow.
Not like something caused by light.
But like something alive.
Zian blinked.
"…Oh."
Pause.
"…Okay, so it's real."
Immediate calm.
"Oh, good. I thought I was going crazy."
The shadow rushed toward her.
Fast.
Zian stepped slightly to the side.
It MISSED.
Completely.
She looked at it.
"…You missed."
Pause.
"…Are you new?"
The shadow attacked again.
She leaned slightly.
MISSED AGAIN.
Zian crossed her arms.
This ghost needs training.
Outside the room—
Sterling stopped walking.
"…Why is she coaching something invisible?"
Inside—
The shadow lunged again, this time more aggressively.
Zian lifted her hand—
Tapped it lightly.
The shadow glitched.
Literally glitched.
Like bad internet.
Zian froze.
"…Did I just lag a ghost?"
The shadow flickered violently and pulled back as if offended.
Zian pointed at it.
"Come back."
Pause.
"…Actually don't. I need sleep."
The shadow disappeared instantly.
Gone.
Like it regretted its life choices.
Zian stood there, hands on her hips.
"…So you came here…"
Pause.
"…did absolutely nothing…"
Pause.
"…and left like my motivation?"
She sighed deeply.
"…Even ghosts are disappointing these days."
The door burst open dramatically.
Huo Lou rushed in.
"What happened?!"
Sterling ran in behind her.
"WHO DIED?!"
Zian turned slowly.
"Nothing," she said calmly.
Inside—
Just a useless ghost.
Both froze.
"…Ghost???"
Their mother entered, clearly already tired of life.
"What is all this noise?" she demanded.
Zian looked at her.
"Night entertainment," she replied.
Inside—
Free horror show.
Her mother closed her eyes slowly.
"…I regret raising all of you."
Fiang Sheng appeared at the doorway.
Calm.
Silent.
Judging.
He looked around the room.
Nothing.
Then at Zian.
"…Explain," he said.
Zian shrugged.
"A ghost came," she said.
Silence.
Sterling: shaking
Huo Lou: confused
Mother: stressed
Fiang Sheng nodded.
"Did it pay rent?" he asked seriously.
Dead silence.
Zian stared at him.
Then—
"…No."
Inside—
Finally someone intelligent.
Sterling exploded laughing.
"I CAN'T—RENT—HAHA—"
Huo Lou hit him again.
Their mother pinched her forehead.
"This family has lost its dignity," she muttered.
Zian walked past them.
"Goodnight," she said.
Inside—
If I die, bury me with snacks.
Fiang Sheng turned slightly.
"…What snacks?" he asked.
Zian paused.
"…All of them."
NEXT MORNING 🌞
Zian walked into the dining room like a tired warrior returning from a battle nobody believed happened.
If the ghost comes again, I'm charging double.
Sterling started laughing before even sitting.
Huo Lou slammed the table.
"STOP THINKING!"
Zian sat down.
Calm.
Peaceful.
Dangerous.
Suddenly—
Her phone rang.
She picked it up.
"Hajiara?" she said.
Loud voice:
"ZIAN!! COME OUT!! I'M DYING OF BOREDOM!!"
Zian blinked.
Same.
Outside the mansion—
Hajiara stood dramatically like she owned the street.
Beside her—
Afianxi, looking like she regretted coming.
Behind them—
Muanthas, arms crossed like she was judging the entire world.
Zian walked out.
"You're loud," she said.
Inside—
Very loud.
Hajiara gasped.
"I missed you!"
Zian nodded.
"I survived," she replied.
Afianxi looked at her.
"You look tired," she said.
Zian nodded.
"Ghost problems."
Silence.
Afianxi: "…what?"
Hajiara: "I WANT ONE."
Zian looked at her.
Take mine.
From far away—
A man watched.
Hidden.
Calm.
Dangerous.
Anidan.
"…So this is her," he murmured.
Behind him—
Jiang Nanshu stepped forward slowly.
Her smile was gone.
"She's different," she said softly.
Anidan smirked.
"Good," he replied.
Back with Zian—
She stretched.
New day. New problems.
Pause.
Hopefully no ghosts.
Pause.
"…Actually one ghost is fine. For training."